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Each business day, we compile a list of the top five stocks in five categories -- fast-growth, all-around value, large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap -- based on data from the close of the previous trading session. Today, small-cap stocks are in the spotlight.

These are stocks of companies that have market capitalizations of $50 million to $500 million that rank near the top of all stocks rated by our proprietary quantitative model, which looks at more than 60 factors.

The stocks must also be followed by at least one financial analyst who posts estimates on the Institutional Brokers' Estimate System. They are ordered by their potential to appreciate.

Note that no provision is made for off-balance-sheet assets such as unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments or market value of real estate or contingent liabilities that might affect book value. This could be material for some companies with large underfunded pension plans.

Hawkins(HWKN - Get Report) formulates, blends, and distributes bulk and specialty chemicals for water treatment and industrial and pharmaceutical use. We have
rated the stock a buy since January 2003 on the basis of its efficiency, solvency, and solid stock price performance.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the company reported very impressive revenue growth of 59.7% year over year. This growth greatly exceeded the industry average of 22.9% and appears to have contributed to improved EPS. Hawkins posted a significant change in EPS to 68 cents from 15 cents in the prior year's quarter. Net income also increased dramatically, rising 362.7% when compared to the same quarter a year ago. A further strength for the company is that it has no debt to speak of, resulting in a favorable debt-to-equity ratio of zero. To add to this, a quick ratio of 1.65 clearly demonstrates the company's ability to cover its short-term liquidity needs.